December 12, 2014

Salt Lake County Health Department Awarded National Accreditation

(Salt Lake County)—The Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCoHD) announced today that it has achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing the quality and performance of the nation’s public health departments.

“We are pleased to be recognized for achieving national standards that foster effectiveness and promote continuous quality improvement,” said Gary Edwards, SLCoHD executive director. “The accreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community. With accreditation, Salt Lake County Health Department is demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials and partner organizations with which we work.”

The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s more than 3,000 public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multifaceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.

“SLCoHD has been rigorously examined and meets or exceeds national standards that promote continuous quality improvement for public health,” Edwards said. “By continuing to improve our services and performance, we can be sure we promote and protect public health in Salt Lake County as effectively and efficiently as possible.”

“This accreditation demonstrates Salt Lake County Health Department’s strong commitment to its public health mission,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams. “Salt Lake County residents have long had access to the highest quality information and public health service that we can provide. The peer-review process the department has undertaken shows that we’re standing up to professional scrutiny. That provides us with valuable feedback so that we’re always improving and being held to a high standard. Our residents deserve no less.”

For more information about each agency, visit www.saltlakehealth.org and www.phaboard.org.